Nimesh “Nick” Patel, who withdrew his name from consideration for a re-appointment to the Russellville Planning Commission, made a statement to the Commission near the close of its Monday meeting.

Patel was one of three re-appointments to the commission expected to be voted on by the City Council at its Dec. 15 meeting. Aldermen were informed hours before the meeting Patel had withdrawn.

Before delivering his prepared statement, Patel noted how the issue could deter businesses from choosing to locate in Russellville.

“We really didn’t need this kind of publicity right now when we were trying to do something good for the city,” Patel said. “This is bad publicity. People will steer away from something like that. It’s happened, we can’t divert that right now, but we can control it.”

Patel’s decision came a day after city officials received an email from Alderman Paul Northcut expressing concern about the re-appointment of the three commissioners, although Northcut only mentioned Patel by name. In his email, Northcut noted “problems we have had with the Hispanic Nightclubs on S. Arkansas” and “more importantly — how close the city came to allowing a homosexual club to open in downtown Russellville (sic),” although a business permit application for the venue was withdrawn and was never considered by city officials.

In his statement, Patel thanked the mayor and the commission members for allowing to serve on the commission and apologized for his decision to step down.

“It’s been a pleasure getting to know everyone and I’ve taken great pride in serving the city,” Patel said. “I’m sorry my decision of not serving the next term came after Mr. Paul Northcut’s disturbing phone call, asking me to do something unconstitutional. Regarding the article in the paper and the comment Paul Northcut made, he was telling the planning commission we are incapable of doing our jobs we were selected to do. That’s a slap in our face, especially when the decisions were made jointly. Why am I being singled out?”

Patel then discussed two of the issues brought forward in Northcut’s email to council members — a Hispanic nightclub and a proposed homosexual nightclub.

“The Hispanic nightclub application was presented to the planning commission as an event hall that was open to anyone, not just the hispanic community. If no one else enters the event hall, the city and planning commission has nothing to do with it,” Patel said.

“The statement about the homosexual clubs in the paper puts the city of Russellville in great jeopardy,” Patel continued. “I made a comment almost two years ago — in a non-public meeting — questioning if the city could deny a business permit based on gender, sexuality, race or religion. And if the permit was issued, the city cannot control or tell anyone they can or cannot patronize that business. It’s the same thing as going to Walmart or McDonalds or Wendy’s or wherever. If someone tries to cater for a certain clientele, we cannot deny that.”

Patel noted the commission is not allowed to make decisions based on religious beliefs.

“We as a planning commission cannot make decisions based on religious morality,” Patel said. “It is considered unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. We have to make the decision within the Constitution. If you want to break that, what’s next?”

Following the meeting, Patel said several individuals, including City Planner David Harris and Mayor Bill Eaton, urged him to continue his service on the commission.

“They wanted me to stay, but I don’t want to get in the middle of this thing because I’m a business owner,” Patel said.

Patel would only describe the interaction with Northcut as “a very disturbing phone call,” which came at his family’s dinnertime.

Patel said he intends to remain active with the commission.

“I’m going to miss this, but I’m still going to help them with all of the stuff I was going to. It’s not going to affect anything,” he said. “... I didn’t want something like this to come in the paper. It puts a lot of pressure on the city.”

Commissioner Richard Perkins said he also tried to convince Patel to stay on the commission and made a statement concerning Patel early in the meeting.

“I believe I as well as the Planning Commission as a whole have been insulted by Mr. Paul Northcut,” Perkins said. “He apparently feels that if you disagree with any of his concepts, you’re not able to act in the best interests of the city. This has resulted in the loss of one of our finest members, Mr. Patel. If this is how Mr. Northcut acts as a city council member, I question his ability to serve the city in that capacity.”

Harris also discussed Patel during the meeting, thanking him for his dedication.

“I’d like to give my thanks to Mr. Patel. He continually prepared for the meetings,” Harris said. “Quite often he’d call me before the meeting, which doesn’t always happen with everybody.”

Paul Northcut has no idea the can of worms he has opened up. Times have changed in this day of age and discrimination will not be tolerated. I hope the citizens of Russellville will wake up and realize its time for a change. I have nothing but Respect for Nick Patel and I know whole heartedly that he would do a great job. The fact that Paul Northcut wants to not just single Nick Patel out, but belittle Hispanics and Homosexuals is just unacceptable. Thank you Nick for being the better person and still standing up for what is the right way.

Thank you Mr. Patel for your service; thank you Mr. Perkins for your accurate assessment of Mr. Northcut. I hope there is some sanction of Mr. Northcut for his actions, and I would hope Mr. Patel might be able to return to the Planning Commission.